Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are tender, golden pieces of chicken coated in a sweet, savory, garlicky glaze with just the right touch of heat. This easy chicken dinner comes together in one skillet, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful without a lot of fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big flavor: Honey, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sriracha create a delicious sweet-and-savory glaze.
- Quick and simple: The chicken cooks in one skillet with minimal preparation.
- Crispy and juicy: A light coating of cornstarch helps the chicken develop beautifully golden edges.
- Family-friendly: Serve it with rice, noodles, or vegetables for an easy meal everyone can customize.
- Easy to adjust: Add more or less sriracha and red pepper flakes depending on your preferred spice level.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Coat the chicken: Add the chicken pieces, salt, pepper, and cornstarch to a medium bowl. Toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, sriracha, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
- Sear the chicken: Heat a large cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Arrange the chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 4–5 minutes, until golden and crispy on one side.
- Finish cooking: Reduce the heat to medium. Turn the chicken pieces and cook for another 1–2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Add the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce bubbles, thickens, and forms a glossy sticky glaze around the chicken.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve warm with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
Tips & Tricks
- Cut the chicken into similarly sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Pat the chicken dry before coating it with cornstarch for better browning.
- Avoid overcrowding the skillet. Cook in batches if necessary so the chicken sears instead of steams.
- Let the chicken cook undisturbed during the first few minutes to develop a golden crust.
- Reduce the heat before adding the sauce to help prevent the honey from scorching.
- For a milder version, reduce or omit the sriracha and red pepper flakes.
- For extra heat, increase the sriracha slightly or add more red pepper flakes.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts if you prefer darker, more tender meat.
- Use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce if needed.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly; can be made gluten-free with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari
Notes
Serve the chicken over steamed white or brown rice to soak up the extra glaze. It also pairs well with noodles, broccoli, green beans, snap peas, or a simple cucumber salad.
For meal prep, keep the chicken and rice in separate containers when possible so the texture stays better when reheated.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fat: 16g
Nutrition values are estimates and can vary depending on the specific ingredients and serving sizes used.
FAQ
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well and will give the dish a slightly richer flavor and more tender texture.
How do I make the chicken bites less spicy?
Reduce or omit the sriracha and red pepper flakes. The honey and garlic will still provide plenty of flavor.
Can I make these chicken bites gluten-free?
Yes. Replace regular soy sauce with certified gluten-free tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
How do I get crispy chicken bites?
Pat the chicken dry, coat it lightly with cornstarch, avoid overcrowding the pan, and allow the chicken to cook undisturbed for several minutes before turning.
What should I serve with honey garlic chicken?
Rice, noodles, steamed broccoli, green beans, snap peas, or other steamed vegetables are excellent choices.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Cooked chicken can be refrigerated and reheated later. For the best texture, reheat it gently in a skillet rather than overheating it in the microwave.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely, then place it in a freezer-safe airtight container. Freeze for up to 2–3 months for best quality.
Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a small splash of water. Stir occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, but the coating may become softer.
Similar Recipes
Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger minced
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Coat the chicken: Add the chicken pieces, salt, pepper, and cornstarch to a medium bowl. Toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, sriracha, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
- Sear the chicken: Heat a large cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Arrange the chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 4–5 minutes, until golden and crispy on one side.
- Finish cooking: Reduce the heat to medium. Turn the chicken pieces and cook for another 1–2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Add the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce bubbles, thickens, and forms a glossy sticky glaze around the chicken.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve warm with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
Conclusion
Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Bites are an easy way to turn simple chicken into a flavorful, glossy skillet meal. With crispy golden edges, tender chicken, and a sweet garlic glaze, this chicken bites recipe is simple enough for a weeknight yet satisfying enough for a family dinner. Serve it with your favorite sides and enjoy a homemade meal that comes together in about 20 minutes.